AppleTalk Network Connects Apple Macintosh and Printers (41042)
This article was previously published under Q41042
SUMMARY
AppleTalk Personal Network (from Apple Inc.) physically connects
multiple Macintosh computers and Apple printers into a local area
network (LAN).
The network is established by connecting cables through connector
ports. Macintoshes and Apple printers come with built-in AppleTalk
connector ports.
Printing is the only service that is built into the AppleTalk network.
Network services other than printing are provided by separate software
packages. For example, AppleShare is a software server that runs on
the AppleTalk network. A server such as AppleShare allows computers to
run applications that reside on another machine, which is usually
called the host. (QuickBASIC Version 1.00 or programs compiled in
QuickBASIC are not designed for or tested for opening files or running
remotely over the AppleShare server.)
Using the AppleTalk cable, you can link up to 32 devices with a
maximum network length of 1000 feet. The bandwidth is narrow (230K per
second). With Farallon's twisted-pair Phonenet, you can extend the
network up to 1000 feet, and connect up to 100 nodes.
You can link PCs into the net by installing a network interface card
(NIC) and running special network software on the PCs.
MORE INFORMATION
AppleTalk's layered model is similar to the International Standards
Organization's OSI Reference Model.
More information about Ethernet connections and LAN networking can be
found in the article "Appletalk: Much More Than a Macintosh/
Laserwriter LAN" by David Buerger, in the January 23, 1989, issue
of InfoWorld Magazine on Page 15.
Apple Computer, Inc. is the best source for more information about
its AppleTalk network.
| Modification Type: |
Minor |
Last Reviewed: |
1/8/2003 |
| Keywords: |
KB41042 |
|